48 International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation ■ Vol. 2, 2021
2013, pp. 669–671), it is quite possible that
Raniere’s behaviors stemmed from his own
narcissism. Indeed, many former members
and other observers have described him as a
narcissist (see, for example, Bloch et al.,
2018 Helmore, 2019 Humphreys, 2018
Natalie &Hardin, 2019, pp. 62, 86 &
Oxenberg &Stoynoff, 2019, p. 92). And
psychologist, Charles Zeider and
psychotherapist Peter Devlin (2020) include
him in their list of group leaders whom they
identify as malignant narcissists (Zeider &
Devlin, 2020, pp.105–108).
The Narcissistic Sexual Predator
Sinnamon (2017) has suggested that
narcissistic sexual perpetrators have intense
self-esteem requirements that they attempt to
maintain or repair through predatory sexual
practices and the fulfillment that this abuse
provides them. These individuals seek to
resolve the issue of having “a high, but
fragile, or a low self-esteem” (Sinnamon,
2017, p. 464 for further discussion, see also
American Psychiatric Association, 2013,
p. 670). Consequently, they display
“compensatory behaviors aimed at
dominating others and being the centre of
attention are sexually channeled into the
predation and exploitation of others.”
Moreover, believing that they are superior to
all others, narcissistic predators assume that
“their needs and desires are ultimately more
deserving of fulfilment” (Sinnamon, 2017,
p. 464). Sinnamon notes that the perpetrator’s
self-esteem issues often are at odds with
assumptions of superiority, such that the
predator specifically pursues sexualized
forms of “praise and admiration,” thus
creating scenarios in which this adulation
occurs (Sinnamon, 2017, p. 464).
Raniere’s probable narcissism manifest
across most domains of his life as he
constructed himself as the figure his
followers came to believe him to be.
Furthermore, I propose that his narcissism
extended to the sexual realm that Sinnamon
discusses. Sinnamon has submitted that when
the predator’s “fantasies and exaggerations
are sexualized” along with his need for
accolades, then “the drive for recognition and
dominance are synthesized into sexually
oriented objectives” (Sinnamon, 2017, p.
464). Significantly, the narcissist
maintains/restores self-esteem by taking
great pleasure in the grooming process,
basking in the veneration that his victims
bestow upon him (p. 464). Sinnamon has
posited that “deliberately dominating the
victim during their sexual encounters in a
manner that is degrading and contrary for the
victim” is a feature of the narcissist’s attempts
to restore esteem (Sinnamon, 2017,
p. 465). This characteristic behavior is
evident in much of Raniere’s sexual
demands, especially as he groomed members
for the ever-more-demeaning practices in
DOS. I further elaborate on Sinnamon’s
observations on narcissistic predation
throughout this article.
Instilling Submission: Raniere’s
Grooming Practices
Beyond establishing himself as an
intellectual elite worthy of great praise,
admiration, and unquestioned authority,
Raniere successfully groomed many
members of NXIVM at the individual and
group levels. As becomes evident, although
Raniere often groomed women into initial
sexual relationships with him, in other cases
he groomed women further, after initial
sexual intimacy, as he prepared them not just
for ongoing sexual encounters with him, but
rather for increasingly degrading and
exploitative forms of sex that speak to the
“flawed consent” that Dayan has identified
(Dayan, 2017, p. 25). Instilling submission
(Lalich, 1997) was integral to Raniere’s
grooming behaviors, and he fostered it
through the following measures.
2013, pp. 669–671), it is quite possible that
Raniere’s behaviors stemmed from his own
narcissism. Indeed, many former members
and other observers have described him as a
narcissist (see, for example, Bloch et al.,
2018 Helmore, 2019 Humphreys, 2018
Natalie &Hardin, 2019, pp. 62, 86 &
Oxenberg &Stoynoff, 2019, p. 92). And
psychologist, Charles Zeider and
psychotherapist Peter Devlin (2020) include
him in their list of group leaders whom they
identify as malignant narcissists (Zeider &
Devlin, 2020, pp.105–108).
The Narcissistic Sexual Predator
Sinnamon (2017) has suggested that
narcissistic sexual perpetrators have intense
self-esteem requirements that they attempt to
maintain or repair through predatory sexual
practices and the fulfillment that this abuse
provides them. These individuals seek to
resolve the issue of having “a high, but
fragile, or a low self-esteem” (Sinnamon,
2017, p. 464 for further discussion, see also
American Psychiatric Association, 2013,
p. 670). Consequently, they display
“compensatory behaviors aimed at
dominating others and being the centre of
attention are sexually channeled into the
predation and exploitation of others.”
Moreover, believing that they are superior to
all others, narcissistic predators assume that
“their needs and desires are ultimately more
deserving of fulfilment” (Sinnamon, 2017,
p. 464). Sinnamon notes that the perpetrator’s
self-esteem issues often are at odds with
assumptions of superiority, such that the
predator specifically pursues sexualized
forms of “praise and admiration,” thus
creating scenarios in which this adulation
occurs (Sinnamon, 2017, p. 464).
Raniere’s probable narcissism manifest
across most domains of his life as he
constructed himself as the figure his
followers came to believe him to be.
Furthermore, I propose that his narcissism
extended to the sexual realm that Sinnamon
discusses. Sinnamon has submitted that when
the predator’s “fantasies and exaggerations
are sexualized” along with his need for
accolades, then “the drive for recognition and
dominance are synthesized into sexually
oriented objectives” (Sinnamon, 2017, p.
464). Significantly, the narcissist
maintains/restores self-esteem by taking
great pleasure in the grooming process,
basking in the veneration that his victims
bestow upon him (p. 464). Sinnamon has
posited that “deliberately dominating the
victim during their sexual encounters in a
manner that is degrading and contrary for the
victim” is a feature of the narcissist’s attempts
to restore esteem (Sinnamon, 2017,
p. 465). This characteristic behavior is
evident in much of Raniere’s sexual
demands, especially as he groomed members
for the ever-more-demeaning practices in
DOS. I further elaborate on Sinnamon’s
observations on narcissistic predation
throughout this article.
Instilling Submission: Raniere’s
Grooming Practices
Beyond establishing himself as an
intellectual elite worthy of great praise,
admiration, and unquestioned authority,
Raniere successfully groomed many
members of NXIVM at the individual and
group levels. As becomes evident, although
Raniere often groomed women into initial
sexual relationships with him, in other cases
he groomed women further, after initial
sexual intimacy, as he prepared them not just
for ongoing sexual encounters with him, but
rather for increasingly degrading and
exploitative forms of sex that speak to the
“flawed consent” that Dayan has identified
(Dayan, 2017, p. 25). Instilling submission
(Lalich, 1997) was integral to Raniere’s
grooming behaviors, and he fostered it
through the following measures.
